International Women’s Day is more than just a celebration- it’s a tribute to voices that shaped history and challenged norms. These women writers have carved out narratives that are raw and unapologetically real. Some of these stories give voices to the unheard, while others rewrite what it means to be a woman in a complex, ever evolving world.
A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum
A powerful multi-generational story about three Palestinian-American women who are caught between love, tradition and the burden of family expectations. This novel doesn’t just recount their journey- it makes you feel the silence they’re forced into and the cost of breaking free.
Our Women on the Ground by Zahra Hankir
Think war reporting, and you probably picture a male journalist, this book changes that, through powerful essays by Arab women journalists who have covered war and political unrest in the Middle East. This book offers essential insights which brings their voices to a space long dominated by men.
Women at Point Zero by Nawal El Saadawi
You can’t talk about women in the Arab world without mentioning Nawal El Saadawi. Her groundbreaking feminist classic highlights the distressing story of Firdaus, an Egyptian woman sentenced to death for killing a man. Through her, the novel explores themes of patriarchy, oppression and the radical pursuit of freedom.
Headscarves and Hymens: Why the Middle Eastern Needs a Sexual Revolution by Mona Eltahwy
A memoir-cum-manifesto, Mona Eltahwy dismantles the oppression of women in the Middle East. The author explores the intersection of politics, religion, and misogyny, making it a must read for feminists everywhere.
A Red Cherry on a White Tiled Floor by Maram al-Masri
A stunning collection of poetry by a Syrian writer, capturing the raw beauty, pain and passion of womanhood. Her poetry feels deeply personal, delicate, and real; she’s a poet to be studied.
I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali and Delphine Minoui
A heartbreaking memoir of…
